News

Veterinary professionals, like most caregivers, tend to be naturally compassionate people, but sometimes caring too much can hurt. It’s hard to remain emotionally unaffected by the trauma your patients (and their owners) are experiencing. Seeing and caring for severely injured and acutely ill animals day after day – some of which are untreatable, while others might be medically treatable but still need to be euthanized because their owners cannot afford treatment – takes its toll.

Just as diabetes affects more than 20 million Americans, diabetes is also affecting our pets in increasing numbers. Obesity is a contributing factor. Over 50% of our pets are overweight, which puts them at an increased risk of developing diabetes. In fact, obese cats are four times more likely to develop diabetes than cats at a normal weight.

With your contribution to VOTE PAC (Veterinarians Organized to Elect), you can support your profession and put $50 or $100 back in your pocket. Your support helps the OVMA support legislators who have been there for the profession. We also encourage all members of the practice team to take advantage of the direct dollar-for-dollar tax credit allowance.

Are you considering purchasing your pet's medications from an Internet or mail-order company, or having its prescriptions filled at a community or retail pharmacy? Before you purchase medications from a source other than your veterinarian, you may want to consider these issues.

Your veterinarian has extensive education in animal medications and is best qualified to prescribe the correct medication for your pet in the right form at the appropriate dosage. There are important differences between pets and people in terms of dosages, potential adverse reactions, and reasons for use of various medications. It is important that your veterinarian is involved in all decisions regarding your pet’s medications.

Now that summer has drawn to an end, it’s important to remember all those upcoming seasonal toxins that we need to be aware of! With Halloween and Thanksgiving right around the corner, now's the time to educate yourself on the pet poisons that are around your house commonly seen by Pet Poison Helpline (PPH) during this time of the year.